Kubota 2013 L3560 HST..."New" at dealership...9 hours??

[TripleR]

Before deciding between an L and Grand L, go drive them both. No doubt the L is a good tractor, but I went to buy one and a Grand L was sitting beside it and the difference in comfort, ease of getting on/off and operator platform quickly convinced me to go with a GL and the HST+ is so much better than the standard HST it is hard to appreciate until you use one for a while.

My neighbor has a 3540 and he hauls it quite a bit.

 

[varmint]

I'll chime in and second the difference between Grand Ls and regular budget Ls! Sadly, weight was a determining factor for us- the Grand L 3130 with loaded R-4s was chewing up the lawn, where as our present L3400 with turfs just lightly marks it up (it's got the slightly heavier SSQA loader and a serious rear weight box most of the time, so it isn't a light weight) and I miss the features that the Grand had. Life is a compromise.

 

[Baby Grand]

Tom,
To get an idea of the difference between the big B, the little L and the little Grand L, compare:
> Tractor weights with the same kind of tires and no loader.
> Loader lift & bucket volume capacities.
> 3 pt hitch lift capacitiy.
> Hydraulic pump flow rate.
My L3240 - the baby grand before the L60 Series came out, handles a 9 foot BX-92 hoe pretty well, too.
I don't think that size is even an option on the B or L Series - not that you'd even want to go there.
It does everything I ask of it, and it never ceases to amaze me what that 32 Hp machine will do.

It's only weaknesses are:
It's really heavy, so not a good choice for around the house lawn care.
It's less maneuverable than our Bs.
It requires a taller storage space.

Merry Christmas & Happy Hunting,

Jim

 

[tractorshopper]

If L or Grand L, I think you need a new trailer and tow vehicle, especially with the distances you'll be trailering. Many have said these things already, but here's my experience:

2006 F-150 SuperCrew 4X4, camper top,, 5.4 Triton with stuff in the bed like chain saws, as tow vehicle: L3800 as tractor, dual axle trailer rated at 7,500 lbs. Tractor with 800 lbs loader, tooth bar, 550 lb box blade, loaded rear R4's, chains and binders - pulled on truck scale at local Love's travel station. 12,850 lbs.

Not sure what my truck weighs by itself, but the tractor and implements, etc, combined with the trailer weight itself (with a tool box filled with stuff on the tongue), had to be getting close to the trailer rating.

My truck would pull this alright, but I wouldn't be the fast guy on the road and I certainly wouldn't tow this without having trailer brakes. They are a must for this kind of load IMO.

Also, to get the load proportioned well with good tongue weight, my bucket would have to sit on the tool box on the tongue of the trailer and I couldn't turn too sharp for fear of putting a tooth through my tailgate. This load with Box Blade would take about the rest of the 16' trailer length and have the ramps folded up with not much room to spare. When I had a bush hog on, I had to slide ramps to the outermost setting and still couldn't fold them even to vertical. I had to chain them hanging out to some degree. The bush hog would stick off the back of the trailer.

In fact, now that I have the BX-2370, this 16' trailer a better match, but even still this tractor with a bush hog will still be a tight squeeze, although more comfortable than the L3800.

My advice to your wife :laughing:: you need a 3/4 ton or larger diesel truck, with a 20' tandem axle dovetail or tilt trailer (with brakes!) to adequately handle your tractor choice and be safe and comfortable towing so much to your property. Rear finish mower's hang off the back nearly as much as bush hogs.

 

[TMR]

My advice to your wife :laughing:: you need a 3/4 ton or larger diesel truck, with a 20' tandem axle dovetail or tilt trailer (with brakes!) to adequately handle your tractor choice and be safe and comfortable towing so much to your property. Rear finish mower's hang off the back nearly as much as bush hogs.

Noted! and My wife Thanks You! If I already owned the 3/4 ton and the 20' trailer the tractor choice would be a bit "easier". TMR

 

[jdorn]

Seems like a second tractor might be an option worth considering in lieu of the truck/trailer upgrade.

 

[varmint]

Guys were writing about telescoping stabilizers a page or so back, and I wanted to mention that Kubota sells them aftermarket for the tractors that don't come standard with them. The first owner of our L3400 added them- don't know the cost, but I do have the installation sheet... Glad to have them. The ends that slide out are good, too, but don't have them.

 

[ovrszd]

Guys were writing about telescoping stabilizers a page or so back, and I wanted to mention that Kubota sells them aftermarket for the tractors that don't come standard with them. The first owner of our L3400 added them- don't know the cost, but I do have the installation sheet... Glad to have them. The ends that slide out are good, too, but don't have them.

Yep, that's a little known avenue for upgrade. Kubota offers a variety of luxury models and base models. Lot of the time they use the same basic chassis. So things like 3pt arms are exchangeable. I had an L4400 that didn't have extendable 3pt arms. I researched on Kubota's website for parts. I could add extendable arms for less than $400. Sold the tractor before I got that far. But I was possible. As are telescoping stabilizers.

Other makers offer similar upgrades. I replaced my chain stabilizers with telescoping type on my 1984 Ford 3910.